Axalta Coating Systems and Jeff Gordon, one of the most celebrated racecar drivers in history, have announced a new multi-year partnership. Gordon will become Axalta’s global business adviser, serving as special adviser to Charlie Shaver, Axalta chairman and CEO, bringing his winning skills and innovative thinking to Axalta, its leadership team and its customers worldwide.
Axalta and Gordon have a long history, which began through the company’s sponsorship of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Although Gordon recently announced 2015 will be his final season as a full-time driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Axalta will continue to sponsor and be the official paint supplier of Hendrick Motorsports.
“After 22 years, our partnership with Jeff and Hendrick Motorsports is the longest-running driver, team and sponsor combination in NASCAR history,” said Shaver. “As a company that focuses on helping our customers win and delivering on our promises, Jeff embodies everything that Axalta represents and, as he contemplates his future outside of a racecar, we see many additional areas where we can work together.”
Through the new partnership, Gordon will offer unique insights to Axalta global leaders in the automotive refinish, OEM, commercial vehicle and industrial businesses. He will have the opportunity to directly contribute to specific global strategic initiatives, including goal-setting and execution and creating a winning culture.
“As I started to think about what’s next for me outside of racing, I found an opportunity to use other skill sets and discover things about myself that I didn’t have time to focus on before,” said Gordon. “Axalta has been a trusted partner for my entire career, and I can’t think of a more perfect partner to collaborate with in the years to come. I look forward to working with Charlie and his team.”
No stranger to a challenge, Gordon will bring incredible drive, passion and valuable insights to his new Axalta role.
“While I am sad to see Jeff step away from the weekly challenge of racing, I am delighted to see him become more involved with the Axalta business,” said Nigel Budden, vice president, North America, Axalta. “I am also very excited about the options this now gives our Refinish Paint Business in North America to further develop and work with Hendrick Motorsports in our sponsorship.”
